Celebrate Vegetarian Awareness in Ellicott City

With restaurants like Tersiguel's and East Moon Asian Bistro serving delicious vegetarian dishes here in Ellicott City, it seems easy to give up meat, at least for one meal.

Since October is Vegetarian Awareness Month, with World Vegetarian Day kicking off the month on Oct. 1, why not give it a shot?

Established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, the purpose of the day is to celebrate the health and animal awareness that one supports by choosing to be a vegetarian.

Although leafy salads and vegetables come to mind as eats that vegetarians prefer, there are so many ways to keep a balanced diet while avoiding meat.

For breakfast, you could try banana bread protein pancakes. For lunch, whip up some black bean stuffed poblano peppers. And finish the day with lentil burgers for dinner.

At Tersiguel's, there's a chickpea crepe with herbed goat cheese on the menu. East Moon Bistro has tofu in peanut sauce and tons of other vegetarian stir-fry and sushi options. Or head to Great Sage in Clarksville, which was the winner of our 2012 Howard County Readers' Choice award for best vegetarian restaurant. 

What are your favorite vegetarian dishes? Tell us in the comments.